286. Telegram From the Department of State to
the Embassy in Indonesia1

Washington, April 15,
1970, 0023Z.

055342. For Ambassador Galbraith from
Asst. Secretary Green.

1.

You may have noted today’s Phnom Penh broadcast declaring Cambodia’s
adherence to neutrality and spirit of Bandung, and informing
international community of necessity “to accept all unconditional
foreign aid from all sources for national safety.” In your estimation,
would GOI be willing to assist Cambodia,
even in small token way? What would be GOI’s attitude towards US-financed Indonesian assistance to Cambodia on a covert
basis? What are the chances of keeping such a transaction covert?

2.

Since Cambodian Army (FARK) utilizes
AK–47 rifles, we would be
particularly interested in knowing whether Indonesians might have any
AK–47’s and ammunition which could
be made available for Cambodia. (We understand Indonesia manufactures
AK–47 ammunition.)2FARK?

3.

Would appreciate your information and opinions on above queries
soonest. Foregoing should not be discussed with GOI.

The Washington Special Actions Group (WSAG) considered possible types and
quantities of assistance to Cambodia in a meeting on April 14.
According to the minutes of the meeting,
Johnson raised the question of possible
“Indonesian sources” for AK–47
rifles and ammunition. Green
stated that the Indonesians had “a small factory in Bandung” that
produced AK–47s and some
ammunition, but he did not know “whether the production is in excess
of their own needs.” William
Nelson of the CIA
added that Indonesia was “the only possible sizable source within
reach of Cambodia” and that they had “about 15,000 AK–47s issued to their own troops.”
Kissinger stated that if
the Indonesians were to give AK–47s
to Cambodia, “we would have to replace them with American rifles.”
He then asked how long it would take “to get delivery from
Indonesia” and how “the rifles would be routed to Cambodia.”
Nelson replied, “If the
shipment were to be completely covert, we could make arrangements
with the Indonesians less than 1 line of source
text not declassified]. They could arrange commercial air
shipment to Cambodia.” (National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials,
NSC Files, NSC Institutional Files (H-Files), Box
H–114, WSAG Minutes, Originals,
1969 and 1970)↩